The Quilt
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord
along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like
the squares of a quilt in many piles. An Angel sat before each of
us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed
how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled
with giant holes.
Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been
difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in
everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the
largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than
a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with
rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my
own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged
pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.
Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held
up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn,
holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel
looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the
earthly fortunes..... I had love in my life, and laughter. But there
had also been trials of illness, and death, and false accusations
that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many
times, I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to
somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.
I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and
guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I
endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes
that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze
of those who unfairly judged me. Now, I had to face the truth. My
life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the
light. A gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared
at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before
me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of
Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in
His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it
became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of
light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine
through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to
shine through.
